WEEK 1
Definition of Output devices
Output devices are devices that enable the computer to communicate the results of
data processing carried out by it to the user. These devices enable the computer to
display text, graphics (pictures and images) and produce sound. Examples of
computer output devices include monitor, printer, speaker, plotter, braille embosser
etc.
Features and uses of output devices
1. Monitor: The monitor, also called Visual Display Unit (VDU) is a TV-like
structure attached to the System Unit through the VGA cable. It displays text and
graphics (pictures and images). The content showing on the monitor is called a soft
copy.
2. Printer: A printer is a device attached to the System Unit through the USB cable
or other types of cable. It is used to produce the information (text, graphics, images,
illustrations) showing on the monitor on paper, transparencies, and plastic. Such a
printout is called a hardcopy.
3. Speaker: A speaker is a device used for producing sound captured by the
microphone or music in mp3, wav, etc. formats. Speakers come in different forms
such as headphones, earphone, canalphones, headset etc. and can also be used with
portable devices such as mp3 player, mobile phones etc.
4. Plotter: A special type of printer used for printing drawings, charts, maps etc.
using multi-coloured automated pens. It is usually used by architects, engineers and
surveyors. They are rarely used now and are being replaced by wide-format
conventional printers, which can produce high-quality graphics.
5. Projector: A device that helps direct the content on a display screen (monitor)
onto a particular flat surface.
Structure and type of CRT monitor
The Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) used as a computer monitor was invented by Karl
Ferdinand Braun. This monitor employs the CRT technology used most commonly
in the manufacturing of television screens. In this, a stream of intense high energy
electron is used to form images on a fluorescent screen. A cathode ray tube is
basically a vacuum tube containing an electron gun at one end and a fluorescent
screen at another end. From this electron gun, a process called thermionic emission
generates a strong beam of electrons. These electrons travel through a narrow path
within the tube with high speed using various electro-magnetic devices and finally
strike the phosphor points present on the fluorescent screen, thus creating an image.
Today, CRT monitor are being replaced with flat Plasma screen, Liquid Crystal
Display (LCD), etc.
Types of monitor
There are two types of monitor, namely:
1. Monochrome monitor: This monitor displays its characters in only one colour.
The colour could be white, green or amber. Looking at the monochrome monitor,
one can see two colours; one colour for the background and one for the foreground.
The two colour combinations can therefore be black and white, green and black or
amber and black.
2. Colour monitor: This monitor displays information in colours. It is similar to a
colour television but it handles data more quickly and has a sharper output.
Types of printer
There are two types of printer, namely impact and non-impact printers.
I. Impact Printers: This type of printer behaves like a typewriter whereby a
character is printed when a metal slug strikes on a carbon ribbon. Impact printers
have contact with the surface of the paper. Examples of impact printer include the
following:
A. DOT MATRIX printer: This prints characters and graphic images by impacting
a ribbon and transferring dots of ink onto the paper. It prints dot matrix characters
by pressing the end of selected wires against ribbon and paper. The dots are used to
form the characters and images on the paper.
B. LINE printer: This prints a line of characters at a time. The output speed is
between 200 to 3000 lines per minute (LPM)
C. CHARACTER printer: This prints one character at a time moving across the
paper. The output speed range from 200 to 400 characters per second (cps)
II. NON-IMPACT PRINTER
Non-impact printer creates images on paper in a manner similar to that of a
photocopying machine. They do not have contact with the surface of the paper.
Examples include:
A. INK JET printer: This prints by spraying small streams of quick-drying ink onto
the paper and using it to form characters, shapes and images. The ink is stored in
disposable ink cartridges, which can be black or coloured. They are found in homes
and offices.
B. LASER printer: This uses an electrically charged drum to transfer toner or dry
ink onto paper like the photocopier does. It traces an image by using a computer-
controlled laser beam.
C. THERMAL printer: This prints by transferring dots of ink or dye from a ribbon
onto paper and passing the ribbon and the paper across a line of heating elements.
The characters are produced with a print head containing a matrix of small heating
elements. This printer is very quiet in operation because the printer head does not
strike the paper.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN IMPACT AND NON-IMPACT PRINTER
S/N IMPACT PRINTER NON-IMPACT PRINTER
1 Makes noise while printing Does not make noise while printing
2 Produces low quality images Produces high quality images
3 Uses ribbon to print Uses ink (dry and wet) to print
4 Does not have heating element Has heating element that dries the
ink on paper
5 Prints only one colour at a time Can print more than one colour at a
time
6 Has striking pins/heads that strike the Does not have striking pin heads to
characters or dots on paper strike characters on paper
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MONITOR AND THE PRINTER
S/N MONITOR PRINTER
1 Has screen Has no screen
2 Uses no ribbon, ink, cartridge or toner
Uses ribbon, cartridge, ink or toner
3 Uses no paper Uses paper and printable medium
4 Display texts, images and pictures Prints text, images and pictures on
paper
5 Some have vacuum tubes or a liquid Has no vacuum tube or a liquid
crystal crystal
6 Has no paper tray Some have paper tray
